I’m back, albeit at half-tilt. Bless you for your comments. Rather than the lovely break some of you sweetly imagined for me, I was undergoing a traumatic sea-change and I am now living back in Blighty, staying with friends until mid-July before moving to the Isle of Wight where I have bought a 300-year-old fisherman’s cottage.

I plan on lots of relaxation and recuperation for the next week or so but hope I’ll be doing the odd post until I’m back up to speed.

Very! I know the area well from childhood holidays and have always secretly wanted to move there but when I was still acting, it would have been far too much hassle coming up to London for interviews and auditions. Fear not, I will be posting lots of pictures when I move in in July!

Thank you so much, Cynthia. I think I may have hinted on one of your posts a week ago about coping with an exacerbation of my PTSD! I’m so lucky to be staying with friends who are being so protective. They’re the parents I never had! My new life starts here. Thank you again, Cynthia. x

Yes, and I thought about that when I read your latest post. We PTSD survivors (we’re trying to survive, in spite of) tend to pick up these signals. I’m so glad you are staying with such great friends. I, too, have had close family and friends who protected me through the rough times. You will meet them in An Honest Home — which seems to be coming out sooner than I thought, on Amazon.

WOW never thought I’d read this news Sarah – moving is hard for many reasons, I hope between now and mid-July you gain a breath of fresh air and acclimated to your new surroundings. Sounds like this place has special meaning for you. Best wishes in the magical Isle of Wight and your new home, 300 years old – just imagine the tales that place could tell. I’m very excited and happy for you Sarah – best wishes my friend.

Welcome back, Sarah, and welcome back home.
A 300-year-old fisherman’s cottage? Sounds very exciting and I look forward to reading all about it and seeing the photos.
I hope the broadband speed is good on the IOW.

I’m sure I’ll post far too much about the Island and you’ll get bored! I hope the broadband speed is good too. It’s soooo much better here in Berkshire where I’m staying compared to Crete. Heaven! Thanks for the welcome back, Hugh.

I ‘as! Joy of joys. I bought the cottage sight unseen though my niece and sister-in-law saw it on my behalf. The Island is, for me, inextricably linked to the Puffin Club – such blissful memories of summers reading the magazine on the beach and in the harbour and so forth. Love to you, Puff Junior and to Puff Minor! xxx

Wonderful to have you back here on you blog and here in Blighty:) I love the Isle of Wight – you have made a good choice…I look forward to seeing lots of new exciting work inspired by your new life and surroundings. Janet. xxx

I can’t pretend that in among the heartache (particularly having to leave Pisch behind) I am not very excited by the change. The Island means a great deal as all our childhood summers were spent there. xx

All will be well…..and as someone once said to me years ago….’none of us is ever creative enough to know how things will actually work out’ – I think that’s when I began to try to live in the present:) A new adventure… Pisch will be fine and who knows maybe he will end up on the Isle of Wight:)xx

Maybe! Bless you, Janet. I feel incredibly good and my friends are being magnificent. She and I were at school together and had not seen each other for over 40 years, as I may have said in my email. Masses to catch up on and hysterical memories! xx

One of my best friends lives in Bembridge, but I haven’t visited her yet. I was suitably surprised by your news, and hope that you soon adjust to the cold and rain again!
Welcome back, in every sense.
Best wishes, Pete. x